7 Classic & Creepy Short Stories You Can Read Right Now

Our lives are busy. It’s easy to get sidetracked while reading or overwhelmed by doorstop-sized novels. Sometimes, it’s nice to just sit down and read a quick story all the way through.

For times like these, I’ve collected a list of short stories perfect for a cold winter night. Some are just slightly chilling, and others may prompt you to double-check that all the doors in your house are locked. Some widely-loved classics are also included. The best part is: most (if not all) of these can be read online for free! What could be better than that?

1. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

Even if you aren't a horror fan, you should read this story. And the less you know going into this classic, the better. Trust me.

2. The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

What would you do if you were stuck in a room with nothing to do but stare at the crumbling yellow wallpaper? This Victorian classic,written in 1892,centers around postpartum depression and the lack of independence available for women at the time.

3. The Birds by Daphne du Maurier

Yes, this story is the basis for Alfred Hitchock’s film of the same name. But even if you’ve seen the movie, this is a must-read story.

4. William Wilson by Edgar Allan Poe

I could recommend a number of Poe’s stories, because they’re all wonderful: The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, The Pit and The Pendulum, etc. But I chose to go with a lesser-known work with just as much of a chill factor. This one's about a man’s reaction to seeing his doppelganger.

5. A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor

This one is widely known and loved, and for good reason. It's a tautly executed story with a dash of Southern charm.

6. The Willows by Algernon Blackwood

When a horror story is known for being admired by HP Lovecraft himself, you know it’s going to be good.

7. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

A classic haunted house story about a woman who's hired to take care of two young children in an old mansion. But soon, the children's behavior starts to change. Is it them, or could it be the house?